The Lions have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran cornerback Justin Miller. Miller worked out for the team Wednesday and his signing adds depth to the secondary following the release Monday of cornerback Aaron Berry.

Miller, 28, was a second round pick of the Jets (No. 25 overall) in 2005 out of Clemson. He started 12 games his first two seasons with the Jets, but made his biggest impact as a kick returner. He averaged 26.3 yards per kickoff return as a rookie with one touchdown. He averaged 28.3 yards per return his second season with two more touchdowns, earning a Pro Bowl nod as the AFC’s return specialist.

The Jets waived Miller in 2008 after the team signed Ty Law. He’s since played with the Raiders, a second stint with the Jets and the Cardinals. He’s been out of football since 2010, though. He went back to school to earn his degree during the lockout last year to fulfill a promise he made to his family.

“My grandfather passed in 2010 and I had made a promise to my grandmother and my mother that I wanted to get a degree. With him passing, it was a way for me to clear my head and take an opportunity to fulfill a promise I made to my grandmother and mother,” Miller told detroitlions.com Wednesday. “If anything happened to them I didn’t want that day to come without them seeing me do that. It was an opportunity to do that and was very beneficial to me. You can’t play football forever.”

Miller finished his degree in Sports Management at Clemson last year.

Berry, who was projected to be a starter for the Lions this fall, was released after his second arrest in a month last weekend. The move left the Lions scrambling for Plan B just days before training camp begins on Thursday.

Miller brings another veteran presence to the secondary. Outside of Chris Houston and Jacob Lacey (91 starts), the Lions have 10 total starts among their other cornerbacks, a group that includes four rookies.

“It’s a blessing to even be in this position,” Miller said of signing with Lions. “I thank God every day just to be out here every day and being able to compete and do something I love.”

Miller will join Houston, Lacey, Alphonso Smith and rookie third-round draft pick Bill Bentley in the competition for the top three cornerback spots. It’s possible Miller sees more time as a kick returner, though, at least initially.

The Lions haven’t announced a transaction to make room for Miller on the 90-man roster.

Of the CBs currently available in free agency, who would folks rather have than Miller? Starting-caliber CBs aren't available right now. Look at the Miller signing this way: somebody's gotta play in the fourth preseason game.

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July 26th, 2012, 9:26 am

TheRealWags

Megatron

Joined: December 31st, 2004, 9:55 amPosts: 12534

Re: Lions agree to terms (1yr) with veteran CB Justin Miller

The Legend wrote:

great guys like this? he s been out of football for 2 years!!! its a longshot he even makes the team - if he does it will be a fairly big story in and of itself let alone if he actually contributes.

From what I understand, he left football in order to get his college degree as a promise to his grandmother.

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July 26th, 2012, 9:44 am

The Legend

Veteran NFL Head Coach

Joined: February 11th, 2005, 3:01 pmPosts: 5082Location: WSU

Re: Lions agree to terms (1yr) with veteran CB Justin Miller

or is that how they spun the story? how many people actually leave just to get there degree? he was out of football first, went to get his degree second. i wish him luck in the comeback it can only help the lions.

July 26th, 2012, 5:47 pm

LionsAllDay

National Champion

Joined: July 3rd, 2012, 2:06 amPosts: 890

Re: Lions agree to terms (1yr) with veteran CB Justin Miller

TheRealWags wrote:

The Legend wrote:

great guys like this? he s been out of football for 2 years!!! its a longshot he even makes the team - if he does it will be a fairly big story in and of itself let alone if he actually contributes.

From what I understand, he left football in order to get his college degree as a promise to his grandmother.

This, and he seems like a guy who works hard to accomplish goals, which is what many pro athletes lack. Off the top of my head, Albert Haynesworth, Lawrence Phillips, and Mike Williams all lacked it, and could've been great.

or is that how they spun the story? how many people actually leave just to get there degree? he was out of football first, went to get his degree second. i wish him luck in the comeback it can only help the lions.

To his credit, he didn't have to finish his degree at all and he could have used his time away from football to do any number of things. But you are right--he finished college only after he failed to make a roster in 2010. Of course the lockout followed that season, so he had a full 12 months to complete his degree. It's not like he sacrificed his football career to finish school. Again, completing his degree is admirable and I applaud him for that.

Dude punched a woman in a nightclub in 2009. Everyone still like this "feel good" story?

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July 26th, 2012, 8:42 pm

regularjoe12

Def. Coordinator – Teryl Austin

Joined: March 30th, 2006, 12:48 amPosts: 4216Location: Davison Mi

Re: Lions agree to terms (1yr) with veteran CB Justin Miller

Aw he's not a bad guy....he just had bad aim! That silly woman shouldn't have been standing right behind the dude he was trying to punch. Lol totally her fault

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July 26th, 2012, 8:48 pm

m2karateman

RIP Killer

Joined: October 20th, 2004, 4:16 pmPosts: 10408Location: Where ever I'm at now

Re: Lions agree to terms (1yr) with veteran CB Justin Miller

Well, I can't say I haven't been at least tempted to punch a couple women at bars in my lifetime. Not something I condone, but I completely understand it.

Anyways...I don't mind the signings of Coleman and Miller. It gives us some added experience at an area where we are very young. Even if they don't make the team, all they can do is help the younger guys. If they choose to not mentor those guys, then chances are they will be released sooner than later.

As for Miller CHOOSING to be out of football in 2011, I don't think that was the case. I think he wasn't able to get signed, and so took that "time off" to pursue getting his degree. I don't think he voluntarily left football.

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July 27th, 2012, 10:20 am

thelomasbrowns

Player of the Year - Offense

Joined: August 24th, 2010, 9:54 pmPosts: 2876

Re: Lions agree to terms (1yr) with veteran CB Justin Miller

Coleman was a decent pick up IMO. I believe there was a thread on here last year saying we should grab him.

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